Over the next few days, you’re likely to hear a lot about the Eurovision Song Contest as you peruse the Internet. While this may sound like an eyewear shop that you’d find in some mall in Berlin, Eurovision is actually kind of a big deal even if most Americans have no idea what it is.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about this annual international singing competition. As you know, the Internet has helped make the world a much smaller place, and you’re likely to see tons of news posts, tweets and Instagram photos about everything that’s going down at this year’s competition.
Case and point: The news that this year’s Eurovision host city of Vienna, Austria installed traffic lights with same-sex couple symbols to show it's an open-minded city in the run-up to the big competition has already gone viral, and the contest hasn’t even started yet.
There’s only going to be more headlines coming out of Eurovision this week. You don’t want to be left out of all of the fun just because the United States doesn’t participate, do you? I didn’t think so.
You’ll be even more inclined to change your tune once you hear about all of the craziness that takes place at Eurovision every year. With amazing pop ballads, outlandish outfits and over-the-top onstage antics sure to fill this year’s competition, Eurovision is like one big musical party that you’ll be wishing the U.S. was invited to take part in.
As the semi-finals begin Tuesday, here’s everything Americans need to know to enjoy all of the wackiness sure to come out of Eurovision this year.
It's Like The Olympics Of Singing
Eurovision is an annual singing competition where countries around the world compete to see who reigns supreme in performing cheesy yet delightful songs. Think of it as like a more elaborate and momentous American Idol, or rather, World Idol, if you remember when that was a thing. The winner is determined by a combination of votes from viewers at home and a National Jury from each of the participating countries. There are two semi-final rounds taking place on May 19 and May 21 with 16 and 17 countries competing, respectively. The top 10 countries from the semi-finals go on to join the already automatically qualified countries in the Grand Final on May 23.
It's A (Mostly) European Thing
As the name suggests, Eurovision is a European tradition that started all the way back on May 24, 1956. Though the competition was created by the European Broadcasting Union with only contestants from the continent, it would later expand to now include some countries from other parts of the world, including Israel, Australia and Azerbaijan.
You've Heard Of Many Of The Past Contestants
Each participating country chooses an artist to represent it in the competition, and since the U.S. doesn't participate in Eurovision, you would think that we wouldn't know many of the singers and bands that have appeared in the competition in the past. Not so, my friends. Scan the list of past contestants, and you'll find some familiar names, including Julio Iglesias (Spain), Olivia Newton-John (United Kingdom), Celine Dion (Switzerland) and ABBA (Sweden), the most successful Eurovision Song Contest winner of all time.
Last Year's Winner Achieved Worldwide Fame
Though winning Eurovision is definitely a huge accomplishment, it doesn't guarantee you success beyond national glory. However, a unique, buzzworthy look coupled with an epic performance certainly helps. That's what the winner of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, Conchita Wurst, had. Not only did her performance of "Rise Like a Phoenix" give the Internet chills, the fact that she is a drag queen with a beard, ne Tom Neuwirth, grabbed attention as well. This was so much the case that Wurst was the No.7 trending search on Google in 2014, the only other individual to make the list besides Robin Williams. Wurst has since become something of an LGBT icon. For all of those who can't get enough Wurst in their lives (and who can, really?), she will be hosting and performing at this year's competition.
What To Expect From Eurovision This Year
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Eurovision, which means it's sure to be an extra-special competition. Last year's winning country, Austria, serves as host country this year. Poland's Monika Kuszynska will become the first person in a wheelchair to perform at Eurovision. Australia, which is making its Eurovision debut this year, is also one of the frontrunners to win the whole shebang with its entrant Guy Sebastian. Sweden's Måns Zelmerlöw is another frontrunner, although he has also brought some controversy to this year's competition since he came under fire for some homophobic remarks he made in the past.
This Is Why You Should Watch
GIFs of Eurovisions past say it best.
Clearly, the Europeans are onto something.
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